Beach volleyball is one of the most popular sports at the Olympic Games each year, and often the most talked about.
The stark differences between the men’s and women’s uniforms are often pointed out: the latter wear form-fitting, high-waisted bikinis, while their male counterparts wear tank tops and baggy shorts.
Beach volleyball made its official Olympic debut at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta after first appearing as a demonstration sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Previously, beach volleyball players were required to wear bikini bottoms and the International Olympic Committee even required them to be extremely short, with official rules stating that they could be no more than 7cm at the sides.
It wasn’t until the 2012 London Olympics that the International Volleyball Federation updated the uniform to include people’s religious or cultural beliefs.
Beach volleyball is one of the most popular sports at the Olympics each year and often the most talked about. Above: Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes of Team Canada pictured last week
That year, the International Women’s Rights League held a protest in the capital against gender discrimination in sport.
At the time, Annie Sugier, spokeswoman for the International Women’s Rights League, said: Forbes:They are using women’s bodies as sex.
“It’s about money. It makes women look like objects and is a clear example of sexism.”
At the time, the female athletes said that while people may tune in to see them in tight swimsuits, they will stay for the sport.
American beach volleyball player April Ross told the outlet: “Once they see the athleticism of our sport, they become addicted to it.”
Australia’s Natalie Cook said it was “fine” because it is the “only sport where women dominate”, while Misty May-Treanor added that “what you see is what you get”.
Some women even prefer to wear bikinis, as they say the two-piece prevents sand from getting caught in their uniform, while they dive to the ground to save the ball.
Retired player Jennifer Kessy told Today that the sand was “restricting” and “limiting” her movements.
The male athletes wear sleeveless shirts and baggy shorts, a marked difference from their female counterparts. Above: Team USA’s Andrew Benesh celebrates with teammate Miles Partain last week
Marta Menegatti and Valentina Gottardi of the Italian team celebrate getting a point by hugging each other
Sweden’s David Ahman in action against Italy’s Paolo Nicolai pictured during a men’s match last week.
She said: ‘Imagine diving chest first and getting more sand than you imagined in the front of your suit.
“You can’t keep it there and it’s not easy to get it off. I found myself adjusting my swimsuit the whole time and while it was embarrassing, it also distracted me from the game I was playing.”
Volleyball players can now practice their sport in leggings, and Marie-Sara Stochlova of the Czech Republic recently took advantage of the changes.
French players Alexia Richard and Lezana Placette wore shorts and T-shirts under their bikinis last week in their match against Akiko Hasegawa and Miki Ishii of Japan.
Egyptian athletes Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy arrived fully clothed in a full swimsuit and hijab for their match against Spain last week.
They later also criticised France’s ban on the hijab imposed on its own female athletes.
But many viewers were branded “sexist” and “perverted” for complaining about the lack of bikini bottoms.
“I had to watch men dressed as women at the opening ceremony and now women in leggings at beach volleyball. Worst Olympics ever,” one posted.
French players Alexia Richard and Lezana Placette wore shorts and T-shirts under their bikinis last week.
Egyptian athletes Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy arrived fully clothed in a backless suit and hijab last week.
Marie-Sara Stochlova of the Czech Republic took advantage of the uniform changes and changed into tights last week.
Paula Soria Gutierrez and Liliana Fernandez Steiner of Spain celebrate during last week’s match
“Add that to the list of reasons I don’t watch the Olympics,” another fumed.
“Wearing leggings to beach volleyball is a fucking crime,” another raged.
In 2021, Norway’s women’s beach handball team was fined for refusing to play the sport wearing bikini bottoms at the 2021 European tournament, indicating that disparities in beach sports between men and women still exist.
Each player was fined around £126, bringing the total to around £1,267.
The European Handball Federation issued a statement saying: ‘The Disciplinary Committee for the 2021 Beach Handball EURO has dealt with a case of inappropriate attire.
‘In the bronze medal match against Spain on Sunday, Team Norway played in shorts that do not comply with the Athletes’ Uniform Regulations defined in the IHF Beach Handball Rules of the Game.
‘The Disciplinary Committee decided to impose a fine of 150 euros per player, for a total of 1,500 euros.’
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